Gabriel 150 years - Flipbook - Page 56
In the ±∫∫∞s, interest centred on the relationship with the surrounding environment. The
authorities made new demands that had to be
met, and increasing environmental taxes were a
growing financial burden. Management anticipated that ordinary consumers and industrial
customers would also soon demand environmental awareness. A targeted effort to reduce
environmental impact also became a means of
reducing the consumption of energy and raw
materials. At the same time, special tools were
developed for monitoring, controlling and reducing the company’s impact on the environment.
In cooperation with four other Danish manufacturers in different trades, Gabriel initiated
efforts to achieve environmental certification.
Via the so-called M.I.R.T.-project (Medarbejderindflydelse ved Introduktion af Renere Teknologi [Employee Influence on the Introduction of Cleaner Technology]), hourly-wage and
salaried employees in the five companies learned from one another’s experience in gathering
environmental data and reducing environmental pollution. This work became the basis for
The M.I.R.T. project provided the basis for the
introducing a system of environmental con-
introduction of an environmental monitoring
trols.
system. Project participants from other companies
In appreciation of its efforts on behalf of
are shown here during a visit to Gabriel.
the environment, and the inclusion of the employees in these efforts, Gabriel received
Likewise, in 1999 in cooperation with Cowi
North Jutland County’s environmental award
Consult, Gabriel was the first supplier of up-
in ±∫∫∂. Upon presentation of the award, Ga-
holstery fabric to complete a life-cycle analysis,
briel was given a bronze sculpture that has
covering everything from the environmental in-
been placed in the company’s courtyard.
fluence of the sheep in New Zealand that sup-
In April ±∫∫∑, Gabriel achieved a major goal –
ply the wool to the disposal of the used uphol-
environmental certification according to the
stery fabric.
ISO ±µ∞∞± standard. In ±∫∫π, this was followed by
certification in accordance with the European
Gabriel’s environmental efforts have also
EMAS scheme. In ≤∞∞±, leading furniture manu-
meant that, today, river water is only used for
facturers have introduced environmental con-
the washing and dyeing of wool. The chemical
trols calling for precise documentation of the
purification plant installed in ±∫∏∂ proved to
environmental influence of upholstery fabric.
be a potential health risk. In the event of leak-
Gabriel was at the forefront of this development.
age, the solvent used in the plant, perchlor-
1984-2001
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